When I founded Pacific Hawk in 1997, I saw Hong Kong as a place where families can access global investment opportunities with confidence and confidentiality. This is a vital aspect for families when managing multigenerational wealth and navigating sensitive family dynamics.
Nearly three decades later, Hong Kong exceeds my expectations. Its strengths lie in its independent legal system, its role as a bridge between East and West, and its world-class financial institutions. The deep pool of Hong Kong talent has also enabled us to build innovative, client-focused solutions to preserve wealth and strengthen family legacies.
The Greater Bay Area: A Strategic Frontier for Families and Finance
One area that embodies this new vision for growth and collaboration is the Greater Bay Area (GBA) development project, where Hong Kong serves as the centre for financial activities. This massive economic region comprisies of 11 cities including Hong Kong and Macau along with the nine cities of Guangdong province (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, Huizhou, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Jiangmen, and Shaoguan). With a population of 86 million, the Greater Bay Area is one of the world’s most dynamic financial and innovation centres.
In my recent TVB television interview, I discussed that the GBA has the potential to reshape regional and global financial markets. With strong government support—including tax concessions and initiatives to attract ultra-high-net-worth families—Hong Kong is positioning itself as a premier destination for family offices. The region also provides access to top-tier financial and legal talent, flexible investment structures like the Open-Ended Fund Company (OFC), and a culturally aligned environment for preserving both wealth and family harmony.
Interested in seeing the full segment? Check out the full episode here.
Setting up a Family Office in the Greater Bay Area (GBA)
Setting up a family office in the GBA, particularly in Hong Kong, offers a strategic blend of global market access, robust legal infrastructure, and proximity to mainland China’s wealth hubs. Hong Kong offers a combination of global capital access, legal frameworks, and a deep-rooted respect for family and tradition — this aligns with our mission: protecting love and wealth across generations.
At Cooley Family Office, my approach includes financial strategies and integrates collaborative dispute resolution, family mediation, and generational planning. This strategy allows us to provide tailored services to entrepreneurial families who value both wealth and relationships.
Pacific Hawk Global OFC: The First Open-Ended Fund Company in the GBA
One of the flexible investment structures in the GBA is Hong Kong Open-Ended Fund Company (OFC), introduced by the Hong Kong Government and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
Setting up the first Open-Ended Fund (OFC) in the GBA, Pacific Hawk OFC provides tax efficiency and regulated structure. It is designed to meet the evolving needs of families with a focus on long-term cross-border preservation and financial harmony.
With Hong Kong as an international financial hub, the initiation of the family office and the Open-Ended Fund Company (OFC), we see rising growth of the GBA.
Hong Kong is leading a dynamic path for family business and financial innovation.
